Both the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 and the Crestliner Storm 16 PF 2012 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 at 17,0 ft versus Crestliner Storm 16 PF 2012 at 15,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 tips the scales at 1 100 lbs - 490 lbs more than the Crestliner Storm 16 PF 2012 at 610 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 has a 65-hp advantage over the Crestliner Storm 16 PF 2012's 50-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner Storm 16 PF 2012 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Fish Hawk 1700 SC 2008 comes in at 10 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the Crestliner Storm 16 PF 2012. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.